Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Jasper Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem is retiring after 22 years at the head of the Jasper Fire Department and director of protective services for the Municipality of Jasper.
Van Tighem took his last radio call from Jasper Dispatch April 30 at 4:30 p.m.
In a news release, the municipality described Van Tighem as being instrumental in developing the Jasper Fire Department.
Prior to municipal incorporation, the fire department consisted of a small group of volunteers who responded to fire calls in Jasper.
Highway response, meanwhile, fell under the jurisdiction of the national park warden service.
Through his planning, foresight and legwork, Van Tighem helped the municipality negotiate the transfer of fire services from Parks Canada.
His efforts also helped put together the foundation for modern and professional structural firefighting and highway rescue services in Jasper National Park.
This work became the base for the current protective services department, which also includes emergency management, disaster planning and bylaw enforcement services.
The municipality stated that Van Tighem had left behind 鈥渁 legacy of continuous improvement, strong relationships with collaborating agencies and active management of first responder mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder.鈥�
This legacy also includes a new fire hall, several fire trucks and volunteer firefighter training sessions.
In the news release, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said, 鈥淕reg鈥檚 remarkable dedication to serving and protecting Jasper, his steadfast support of the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade, his relentless pursuit of fundraising opportunities for a variety of worthy causes 鈥� most notably MS, cancer, and mental health 鈥� his personal tenacity, resolve and endurance in achieving his goals, his clear and overwhelming commitment to community, and his calm, measured, modest, respectful demeanour, have deservedly elevated Greg to the status of local legend, creating a lasting legacy of selfless service.鈥�
